Carburetor by-pass valve and control means therefor



Oct. 22, 1935. L. H. MESS INGER, JR 2,017,914

CARBURETOR BY-PASS VALVE AND CONTROL MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 1

FIG. 2

INVENTOR. LESTER HMESSINGE-R JR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 22, .1935. LH. MESSINGER. JR 2,017,914

CARBURETOR BY-PASS VALVE AND CONTROL MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIlI/I/ ym lI/I fl.

IN V EA TOR. LESTER HMESSINGER, JR.

@y/ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 22, 1935 CARBURETOR BY-PASS VALVE CONTROL MEANS THEREFOR Lester H. Messinger, Jr., Trumbull, Coma, as-

signor to Messinger Devices, Incorporated, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application January 24, 1933, Serial No. 653,255

23 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in internal combustion engines and includes certain improvements in the means disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No.

102,347, filed April th, 1926.

The invention includes as an object the providing of means to be applied to an internal combustion engine, particularly an automobile engine, either in the form of an attachment for existing engines or to be built as part of new engines and which will serve to, in-a large measure, prevent the formation and discharge of obnoxious or dangerous gases by the engine.

Another object is to provide a control means for internal combustion engines the said means functioning to effect a considerable savings in fuel in the operation of the engine.

An additional object is to provide a means as indicated and which means will serve to prevent dilution of the oil in an engine crank case and will also tend to prevent formation of carbon.

A further object is to provide a means as indicated and which is automatic in its operation.

Other important objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration oi. the follow'ng detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In .the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating an embodiment of the invention as applied to an automobile Fig. 2 is aview showing the parts of the device uncovered and in their normal relative positions and the view also shows the wiring system;

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 butshowing the relative positions of the parts with the throttle valve of the engine closed, the ignition circuit of the engine opened and the air inlet valve of the invention opened;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the circuit controlled parts when the throttle is closed and the air inlet valve is closed and the engine is idling;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the valve operating means;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the valve in full lines in its open position and in broken lines in its closed position; and

Fig. 8 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the valve structure.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in Fig. 1 is shown a portion of an automobile including a dash l0 and the usual floor boards II and in front of the dash there is shown a portion of a motor I 2 to which the fuel is fed as from a carburetor i3 through an intake manifold It. 10

The. supply of fuel is controlled in the usual manner by a throttle valve the stem or axis of which is shown at l5 connected with an operating arm i6 extending to each side of the stem l5 and at one end connected with a spring H the tendency of which is to return the throttle valve to closed position when moved therefrom. Connected with the other end of the arm I6 is a rod l8 the connection being formed as by a pin IS on the arm and an elongated slot 20 in the 20 end of the rod. At its forward end this rod 88. is pivotally connected with an accelerator or throttle pedal 2i and a coil spring 22 is anchored at one end to the rod and at its other end to a stationary bracket 23 and serves to return the 25 rod and accelerator pedal to their normal full line positions when moved therefrom as suggested by the broken lines in Fig. 1.

The mechanism thus far described may be either in'the form shown or may be any other desired or conventional construction. It is simply illustrated as a conventional arrangement in order that the construction and operation of the means'of the invention may be fully disclosed.

Bolted or otherwise secured in any desired posi- 40 This switching mechanism amongst its other functions controls a circuit to the coils 26 of a solenoid magnet mounted within a housing 21. and the cores of said coils are shown at 28 as being secured to the walls of the housing 21 by means of screws 29. The coils 26 may be held in place about the cores 28 by any suitable means as, for example, the springs 30 shown in Figs. 2

and 3. It is to'be understood that while the coils 26 are shown as connected in series they 5 may be connected in parallel.

Housing 21 is shown in Fig. l as connected with the intake manifold M of the engine and in its lower portion the housing includes a port 3] through which air may be admitted directly to the manifold instead of through the fuel supply means or carburetor l3. Arranged in the port or opening 3| is a valve 32 the stem 33 of which extends through the lower end of the housing as clearly shown in Fig. 6 and the upper end portion of which extends into the space between the magnet coils 26.

To this upper portion of the stem there is secured an armature 34 adapted to be attracted by the electro-magnets and when so attracted adapted to turn the valve stem 33 and consequently the valve 32 shifting the valve to open position whereby air will be admitted through port 3| to the manifold l4 in advance of the carburetor. A spring 35 above the armature 34 has one of its ends anchored to the housing as at 36 and has its other end portion wrapped repeatedly around the upper end portion of a valve stem 33 and this spring is purposely made of great length so as to exert a constant pressure and the spring tends to retain the valve in closed position and to return it to such position when moved therefrom.

As best shown in Fig. 8 the valve stem 33 is -hollow or tubular for at least a portion of its length and this portion is slotted in its opposite side walls for the reception of the valve 32. This valve is substantially oval in shape and has its end portions arranged at an incline whereby the valve will seat tightly in the port or passage 3| when the valve is in closed position as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 7. Within the stem at each side of the valve and bearing there against are plugs 31 the said plugs being urged into engagement with the valve as by coil springs 38.

These plugs prevent leakage through the-slot in the val e stem about the valve and they also yieldingly retain the valve: in place. However, they do not rigidly secure it and the valve may be said to float in the stem whereby it will seek or work into 2 smooth and tight fit against the walls of the port.

Mounted on the housing 24 or otherwise suitably located are five binding posts 39, 40, 4|, 42 and 43 respectively. These binding posts are, oi! course, insulated from the housing and from one another. Within the housing 24 is a short bar or shaft 44 on which is pivotally mounted a platelike member 45 having upturned ears 46 the said ears pivotally connecting the member with the bar 44. Alsov within the housing and pivotally mounted on the bar 44 is a second plate-like member or armature 41 bent or off-set intermediate its ends, as at 48 (see Fig. 4), this ofi-set intermediate portion embracing the rod ar bar.

A member 49 has its end portion 50 turned downwardly and passed through a slot in the plate-like member 41 and extends over the offset portion of said plate-like member and beyond one of its ends. A bolt is passed through the member 49 and an end portion of the plate-like member 41 and a spring 52 surrounds said bolt and normally tends to keep the member 49 against the member 41 but permits of said members being pressed apart in spaced relation to down-turned end 50 of member 49.

The member 49 carries a contact element 53 connected with the binding post 42 as by a wire 54 and the plate-like member 45 carries a con- .tact element 55 connected with the binding post 43 as by a Wire 56. Further, plate-like member 45 carries a contact member 51 connected with the bindingpost 4| as by wire 58 and the armature or pate-like member 41 carries a contact member 59 connected with the binding post 42 by a wire 60. Within one end portion of the housing 24 there is arranged an electromagnet 6|, the coil of which is connected with the binding posts 39 and 40 by wires 62 and 63.

A lead 64 connects the binding post 42 with the positive side of the battery 65 while a lead 66 5 connects binding post 43 with a binding post 61 on the housing 21 and which bindingpost 61 is connected with one of the coils 26 as by a wire 68 the coils being connected together by wire 69 and the lead from the coils is shown at con- 10 nected with a binding post 1| from which a lead 12 extends to a ground. From binding post 4| 2. lead 13 extends to the ignition coil 14 of the automobile.

A lead fromany or the usual automobile 15 generator 16 is connected with the binding post 39 and a lead 11 from the binding post 40 is connected with a voltage regulator and cut-out 18 and then to the battery by a lead 19 (Fig. 2) while in Fig. 3 a cut-out 80 is shown in the line 15 and the line 11 is connected with the battery by a lead 8|. In some automobiles, particularly trucks and buses, the arrangement of Fig. 2 is used wh le the arrangement of Fig. 3 would be used in automobiles not equipped with the voltage regulator.

It will be understood that the plate-like members 45 and 41 are mounted for pivotal movement together and separately about the bar or shaft 44. To one side of the bar 44 between the plate-like members 45 and 41 there "is arranged a spring 82 having one of its arms connected with each of said members and the normal tendency of this spring is to move said members apart and keep the contacts 53 and 55 separated. A spring 83 is arranged between the other end portion of plate-like member and the bottom wall of the housing and this spring 83 serves to prevent the members 45 and 41 pivoting freely around the bar 44 in a direction too bring the contact 53 into engagement with the upper wall of the housing and to prevent the contact 51 or end portion of member 41 coming into engagement with the lower wall of the housing. 46

Extending through a'wall of the housing in alignment with one end portion or the plate-like member 45 is a push rod or member 84 disclosed as in the form of a bolt. This push rod 84 is slidable through the wall of the housing and nor- -22 to open the throttle valve and normally the valve 32 in the port 3| is closed so that there is no change in the normal operation of the engine in so far as the operation of the'same under load is concerned. As long as-the engine is operated at a speed suflicient. to drive the generator 16 at charging speed the electro-magnet 6| is energized and it attracts the end portion of the platelike member 41 which forms an armature and the switch parts are held in the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 2 provided the engine is operating under load or with the throttle advanced.

It will be noted in Fig.2 that the contact members 51 and 59 are in engagement and that the circuit between the ignition means 01 the engine 76 end portion of the plate-like portion 45 and rock i said member about the pivot bar 44 in opposition to the spring 82.

Since the plate-like member 41 is being held against movement by the charged magnet 6| rocking of the member 45 will first serve to separate the contact members 51 and 59 thereby opening the ignition circuit of the engine and immediately thereafter the contact members 53 and 55 are brought into engagement closing the circuitto coils 26 with the result that the armature 34 is attracted and against the action of spring 35 the valve 32 is swung to open position. This admits air to the manifold l4 in advance of the carburetor and relieves any vacuum in the vertical or riser portion of the manifold. Therefore, fuel will not be drawn into the engine and since the port 3| is relatively large plenty of air will be supplied to the engine and there will be a free intake and exhaust of air by the engine.

No appreciable amount of vacuum is necessary to take air into the engine through the port 3| and the opening of the valve gives a "free wheeling effect since the pistons of the engine do not have to work against vacuum. Since with the valve 32 open fuel will not be drawn into the engine a considerable savings in fuel results. Attention is particularly called to the fact that the port 3| is located laterally with respect to the riser portion of the manifold and therefore there is no suction in such portion of the manifold.

It has been ascertained that when the port is located directly above the riser eddy currents are set up in the. riser and the walls of the latter and the surface of the throttle valv e are dried of gasoline or other fuel with the result that the immediate efficient operation of the engine is not resumed on the closing of the valve 32. Therefore, the inlet port is located laterally of the riser as above described and the mentioned difliculty is overcome.

Should the speed of the engine drop below that necessary to drive the generator at a charging speed (in the neighborhood of fifteen miles per hour) the magnet 6| will not be energized and will release the plate-like member or armature 41 with the result that the same will rock about the pivot 44 in a 'directionto bring contact 59 into engagement with contact 51, thereby closing the ignition circuit, and carry contact 53 out of engagement with contact 55, opening the circuit to the coils 28.

While the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, that is, with the ignition circuit open, the throttle mechanism retarded and the valve 32 open, should the throttle mechanism be advanced the bell crank 85 will be carried away from the push rod 84 and the latter will move out, of the housing 24 permitting the parts to. return to the position in which they are shown in Fig. 2. It is understood that when the throttle is advanced the engine will be speeded up so that the generator will be operating at charging speed.

When the throttle is retarded the speed of the engine, of course, drops and should the engine the retarding of the throttle operating mecha-' nism will shift the push rod 84 inwardly the entire switch mechanism 25 will rock about the bar 44 into the position shown in Fig. 4. Here it will be noted that contacts 51 and 59 are in engagement so that circuit to the ignition is closed but it will also be noted that the contacts 53 and 55 are spaced apart so that the circuit to the coils 26 is open. Therefore, the valve 32 will be closed and the engine may idle in the usual manner.

Owing to the mounting of the contact carrying member 49 the push rod 84 may operate to rock the plate-like member 45 and bring contact 55 into engagement with contact 53 without applying suflicient pressure to the armature or plate-like member 41 to draw said member or force said member away from the magnet 5|. That is, when the contact 55 engages contact 53 it may push the same upward slightly tensioning the spring 52 which will yield as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

From the foregoing it will be understood that with the present invention the valve 32 will open whenever the throttle mechanism is retarded and the engine is operating above a predetermined speed. This may occur when the automobile is .coasting while in gear or when the throttle is advanced and then suddenly released the engine racing as when shifting gears. Further, it will be understood that the engine may idle in the usual manner since the valve closes immediately the engine drops below a predetermined speed. Also, the valve closes immediately the throttle is advanced since this permits of the push rod 84 moving outwardly or dropping downwardly away from the member 45. It will, therefore, be appreciated that the device is automatic in its operation and requires no special attention on the part of an operator and that the device will not cause stalling of the engine when the latter is operating at low speed.

Since the device operates to prevent fuel being drawn into the engine when the latter is coasting a saving in fuel results. Further, when the throttleis closedand the engine is operated at high speed should the valve 32 be closed or not be provided, large quantities of fuel would be drawn into the engine cylinders making a poor mixture which would notburn fully with a result that dangerous gases would be discharged. With the present device this is largely prevented. Attention is also directed to the fact that the coils Z6 operate off the battery and do not have to be built to withstand the fluctuating current delivered from the generator. This current passes through the coil 5| which is designed to accommodate the current.

In connection with the operation of the device it will be noted in Fig. 3 that the magnet Si is energized and that the contacts 57 and 59 are spaced so that the ignition circuit is open and that the contacts 53 and 55 are in engagement so that the circuit to the valve actuating means is closed. Now, if the charging rate of the generator drops the parts will move into the relative positions in which they are shown in Fig. 4

should the charging rate of the generator in-- crease the circuits will again be reversed as the parts will be drawn into the relative positions in. which they are shown in Fig. 3. While the parts are as shown in Fig.4 should the engine be speeded up without depressing the throttle as when the car starts down a grade the ignition circuit would be opened and the circuit to coils 26 closed so that valve 32 would be opened. However, should the throttle be advanced when the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 4 the parts would shift into the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 2 and the valve would be closed.

If the device is applied to an engine having two carburetors and two intake manifolds one switch mechanism may be used in connection with two valve mechanisms, one of the latter being applied to each manifold. As an alternative arrangement for such an engine a valve might be applied to one manifold and a tubular piece applied to connect the lateral arms of the two manifolds.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, means to establish a circuit between a battery and the'ignition means of the engine, and a generator driven by the engine to charge the battery, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, a movable contact, a second contact movable relative to the first contact and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit between the battery and said electromagnetic means, means operated by the throttle control mechanism of the engine to move said second contact toward said first contact when the hrottle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator, an armature mounting said first contact and adapted to be held stationary by said electromagnet when the same is energized from the generator whereby to permit the second contact to engage the first contact to bring about an opening of said valve when the engine is operating above a predetermined speed with the throttle mechanism second pivotally mounted contact movable relative to the first contact and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit between the battery and said electromagnetic means, means operated by the throttle controlled mechanism of the engine to move said second contact toward said first contact when the throttle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator, and an armature mounting said first contact and adaptedto be held stationary by said electromagnet when the same is energized by the generator whereby to permit the second contact to engage the first contact to bring about an opening of said valve when the engine is operating above a predetermined speed with the throttle mechanism in retarded position. 6

3. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, means to establish a circuit between a battery and theignition means of the 10 engine, and a generator driven by the engine to charge the battery, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electro- 15 magnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, a movable contact, a second contact movable relative to the first contact and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit between the battery and said 20 electromagnetic means, means operated by the throttle control mechanism of the engine to move said second contact toward said first contact when the throttle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator, an 25 armature mounting said first contact and adapted to be held stationary by said electromagnet when the same is energized from the generator whereby to permit the second contact to engage the first contact to bring about an 30 opening of said valve when the engine is oper-. ating above a predetermined speed with the throttle mechanism in retarded position, a pair of contacts in the circuit between the battery and the engine ignition means, and means 85 whereby said pair of contacts are separated to open the ignition circuit when the second contact moves to engage the first contact.

4. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an 40 intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine, and a generator driven by the engine to charge the battery, an air port to admit air to 45 the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature conneeted with said valve, electromag netic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, a pair of pivotally mounted means, a 60 contact on each of said'means and together forming a pair of contacts, one of said contacts movable relative to the other thereof and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit between the battery and said electromag- 65 netic means, means operated by the throttle control mechanism of the engine to move one of said contacts toward the other thereof when the throttle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator, one of said means 60 mounting said contacts comprising an armature adapted to be held stationary by said electromagnet when the latter is energized from the generator whereby to permit the contact moved through the means operated by the throttle con? 65 trol mechanism to engage the other of said contacts to bring about an opening of the valve when the engine is operated above a predetermined speed with the throttle mechanism in retarded position, a second pair of contacts, said second pair of contacts in the circuit between the battery and the engine ignition means, and said second pair of contacts mounted on the means mounting the first contacts but at the opposite sides of the pivots for said means whereby said second pair of contacts are separated to open the ignition circuit when the first pair of contacts are brought into engagement.

5. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition .means of the engine, and a generator driven by the engine to charge the battery, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, a movable contact, a second contact movable relative to the first contact and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit to said electromagnetic means, means operated by the throttle control mechanism of the engine to move said second contact toward said first contact when the throttle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator, and an armature mounting said first contact and adapted to be held stationary by said electromagnet when the same is energized from the generator whereby to permit the second contact to engage the first contact to bring about an opening of said valve when the engine is operating above a predetermined speed with the throttle mechanism in retarded position.

6. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, means to establish a. circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine, and a generator driven by the engine to charge the battery, said fuel supply means including a throttle valve and throttle valve operating mechanism, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, a movable contact, a second contact movable relative to the first contact and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit to said electromagnetic means, means operated by the throttle control mechanism of the engine to move said second contact toward said first contact when the throttle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator, an armature mounting said first contact and adapted to be held stationary by said electromagnet when the same is energized from the generator whereby to permit the second contact to engage the first contact to bring about am opening of said valve when the engine is operating above a predetermined speed with the throttle mechanism in retarded position, means operated by said throttle valve operating mechanism for shifting said second contact toward said first contact on said mechanism being released. a lost motion connection between said mechanism and the throttle valve, and said connection of such construction that said means acts as a stop for said mechanisms when in its retarded position.

'7. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means. an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, a battery, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting "aid armature to open the valve, means to close a circuit between said electromagnetic means and the battery to open the valve when the engine is operating under forced momentum instead of under load and above a predetermined speed, said valve including a mounting stem, a flat valve body extending through said stem, and said valve body movable through said stem whereby the valve will work into its seat.

8. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine, and a generator driven by the engine to charge the battery, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a

. valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, a movable contact, a second contact movable relative to the first contact and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit between the battery and said electromagnetic means, means operated by the throttle control mechanism of the engine to move said second contact toward said first contact when the throttle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator, an armature mounting said first contact and adapted to'be held stationary by said electromagnet when the same is energized from the generator whereby to permit the second contact to engage the first contact to bring about an opening of said valve when the engine is operating above a predetermined speed with the throttle mechanism in retarded position, and means resiliently mounting the first contact on said armature whereby engagement between said first and second contacts will not 'the battery, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, a pivotally mounted contact, a second pivotally mounted contact movable relative to the first contact and adapted when in engagement with the same to close a circuit between the battery and said electromagnetic means, means operated by the throttle control mechanism of the engine to move said second contact toward said first coritact when the throttle mechanism is retarded, an electromagnet in circu t with the generator, an armature mounting said first contact and adapted to be held stationary by said electromagnet when the same is energized by the generator whereby to permit the second contact to engage the first contact to bring about an opening of said valve when the engine is operating above a predetermined spced with the throttle mechanism in retarded position, and means resiliently mounting the first contact on said armature whereby engagemcnt between said first and second contacts will not force the armature away from the electromagnet.

10. The combination with an internal combuston engine including a fuel'supply. means. an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block and means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, and

means to open said ignition circuit and thereafter close a circuit between said electromagnetic means and the battery to open the valve when the engine is operating under forced momentum instead of under load and above a predetermined speed.

11. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block and means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuelsupply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, and means to open said ignition circuit and thereafter close a circuit to said electromagnetic means to open the valve when the engine is operating under forced momentum instead of under load and above a predetermined speed.

12. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block and means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open the valve, means to open said ignition circuit, means to close a circuit to said electromagnetic means, and a generator controlled means to reverse the action of said circuit control means.

'13. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply and the engine block, means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine,

and a generator driven by the engine to charge the battery, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, an electrically operated valve in said air port, an electromagnet in the generator circuit, means controlled by said eleetromagnet to open the ignition circuit and close a circuit to said valve when the generator charging rate exceeds a predetermined minimum and the throttle of the engine is retarded, means controlled by said electromagnet to open said valve circuit and close said ignition circuit when the generator charging rate drops below said predetermined minimum and also when the throttle is advanced.

14. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply means and the engine block, an air port to admit air to the engine independently of the fuel supply means, a valve normally closing said port, an armature connected with said valve, an electromagnetic means for shifting said armature to open said valve, a generator driven by said engine, a battery, a charging circuit between the generator and battery, and means in said charging circuit controlled by the charging current to control the closing of a circuit between the battery and the tion engine including a fuel supply means, an intake member between the fuel supply means and the engine block, means to establish a circuit between a battery and the ignition means of the engine, an air port to admit air the engine independently of the fuel supply means, an electrically operatedvalve in said air port, means controlled by the engine speed to open the ignition circuit and close a circuit to said valve when the engine speed exceeds a predetermined minimum and the throttle of the engine is retarded, and means to open said valve circuit and close said ignition circuit when the engine speed drops below said predetermined minimum and also when the engine throttle is advanced.

16. The combination in an internal combustion engine including a carburetor, a port to admit air to the engine independent of the carburetor, an electrically operated valve normally closing said port and adapted on being energized to open the port, a constant current circuit including said valve, a switch to close said circuit, and means controlled by the speed of the engine and controlling operation of said switch.

17. The combination in an internal combustion engine including a carburetor, a port to admit air to the engine independent of the carburetor, an electrically operated valve normally closing said port and adapted on being energized to open the port, a constant current circuit including said valve, a circuit in-which the current varies in accordance with the speed of said engine, a switch to close said constant current circuit, and means in said variable current circuit and controlling closing of said switch.

18. The combination in an internal combustion engine including acarburetor, a port to admit air to the engine independent of the carburetor, an electrically operated valve normally closing said port and adapted on being energized to (0 open the port, a constant current circuit includ-- ing said valve, a switch to close said circuit, and means controlled by the speed of the engine and permitting closing of said switch only when the engine is operating above predetermined speed 45 and under forced momentum.

19. The combination in an internal combustion engine including a carburetor, a port to admit air to the engine independent of the carburetor, an electrically operated valve normally 50 closing said port and adapted on being energized to open the port, a constant current circuit including said valve, a switch to close said circuit, means controlled by the speed of the engine to bring about closing of said switch, and said means 55 adapted to bring about opening of said switch on the engine falling below a predetermined minimum speed.

20. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means and an ignition circuit, a battery in said ignition circuit, an air port to admit air to the engine independent of the fuel supply means, an electrically operated valve normally closing said port and adapted on being energized to open the port, and means 65 controlled by the speed of the engine and adapted to open the ignition circuit and cause energizing of the valve from the battery when the engine is operating under forced momentum instead of under load and above a predetermined speed.

21. The combination with an internal combustion engine including a fuel supply means and an ignition circuit, a battery in said ignition circuit, an air port to admit air to the engine independent of the fuel supply means, an electri cally operated valve normally closing said port and adapted on being energized to open the port, means controlled by the speed of the engine to open said ignition circuit and close a circuit including said valve and battery when the engine is operating under forced momentum instead of under load and above a predetermined speed, and means to bring about an opening of the valve circuit and closing of the ignition circuit on the engine speed falling below said predetermined speed.

22. The combination with an internal com-' bustion engine including a fuel supply means and an ignition circuit, a battery in said ignition circuit, an air port to admit air to the engine independent of the fuel supply means, an electrically operated valve normally closing said port and adapted on being energized to open the port, manual means to open said ignition circuit and close a circuit including said valve and the battery, and automatic means insuring closing of said ignition circuit and opening of said circuit including the valve and battery when the speed of the engine is below a predetermined speed.

23. In combination, in an internal combustion engine including a carburetor, a manually operable accelerator means controlling the supply of fuel from the carburetor to the engine cylinders, and ignition circuit, and a battery in the ignition circuit, a generator driven by said engine, a circuit between the generator and battery and an automatic cut-out in said circuit, a port to supply air to the engine independent of the carburetor, an electric valve normally closing said port and adapted on being energized to open the port, means to open said ignition circuit and close a circuit through the battery and valve on retarding of the accelerator, and said cut-out op- 

